The country doctor / by Honoré de Balzac.

  • Honoré de Balzac
Date:
[1899]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The country doctor / by Honoré de Balzac. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Pierre-Joseph Genestas thus had nothing poetical or romantic about him, so commonplace did he seem. His appearance was that of a substantial man. - though his pay was his sole fortune, and though his retirement was his only future, nevertheless, like shrewd old traders who have acquired from misfor- tunes an experience which resembles obstinacy, the major kept always in reserve two years’ pay and never expended all his receipts. He was so little of a gambler that he looked at his boots when in company a new player was wanted or some addition to the stakes at ecarte. But, if he allowed himself no un- usual expenses, he was not wanting in any of the customary usages. His uniforms lasted him longer than those of any other officer of the regiment, m consequence of the care arising from the mediocrity of his fortune,-a habit which had now become with him mechanical. Perhaps he would have been sus- pected of avarice had it not been for the admirable disinterestedness, the fraternal readiness with which he opened his purse to some heedless young fellow ruined by a deal at cards or by some other folly. It would seem that he had formerly lost heavy sums at play, so much delicacy did he bring to his obliging, he did not consider that he had the right to control the actions of his debtor, and never spoke to him of his indebtedness. A child of the troop, alone in the world, he had made for himself a country of the army and a family of his regiment. Consequently, the motive of his worthy economy was rarely sought for, pleasure was taken in attributing it to the sufficiently
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